27-30 September 2007: A gathering of Mustangs and Legends at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus Ohio.
I spent 99% of my time Friday outside the show grounds. I parked next to the fence next to the runway.
Turned out to be the best seat in the house. I met some good friends for the 1st time from Ohio. They were impressed that I did not have a Texas accent. So I turned on the corn and fabricated a drawl right there on the spot and it was all good. I was impressed with their hospitality. No sooner had we said hello than they offered me a chair, a hat, binoculars and sunscreen. It was nice to talk to
these folks and listen to Mustang Flight Ops and the Air Boss on the available radio these thoughtful people had brought.
There were other vintage aircraft at the Gathering in addition to Mustangs.
On Saturday, I made a point to see them all, such as this P-40 Warhawk.
The P-63 Kingcobra was based upn the P-39 Aircobra.
The P-47 Thunderbolt...
...one of the most robust and rugged aircraft of the 2nd World War.
This aircraft participated in the motion picture Tora, Tora, Tora.
The P-38 was called "Forked Tail Devil" by the those who faced the Lightning in combat.
I counted four bombers at the show. This B-17G Flying Fortress heavy bomber drew a large crowd,
as did all aircraft that permitted public entrance.
The tail markings identify this B-17 as bird of the 8th Air force, 1st Bomb Wing, 381st Bomb Group.
Compare this B-17 to Sentimental Journey in Arizona.
The B-17 in a simulated bomb drop. Real bombing missions took place at 30,000 feet or more.
To learn about life in a B-17, read the book Combat Crew by top turret gunner John Comer.
The B-25 Mitchell medium bomber was used on the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Only two British Lancaster heavy bombers are said to still be in existence. Here is one of the two.
The Thunderbirds performed at the Gathering.
I didn't even try to snap a pic of their show!
The Sherman tank was extremely effective in close fighting in cities, but was not as powerful or heavily armored as German Panzers.
The German Schwimwagen was an amphibious jeep.
This event was named "Gathering of Mustangs and Legends. I found many Mustangs and did not want to leave the show, even after two full days in the hot Ohio sun. But I did not talk to any Legends or to the Tuskeekee Airman who were honored at the airshow;
I just wasn't in the right place at the right time. I did not have a VIP Pass, which might have facilitated access to
the Legends. Next time, I'll stay an additional day to seek out these Legends - famous P-51 Mustang pilots.
Would you like to start over?